RSL Preview: Real Salt Lake Heads To Dallas For Monumental Game

SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake heads to Dallas, Texas to take on their Western Conference rival in a monumental game. Currently, FC Dallas sits two points and one spot clear of RSL who find themselves in the seventh position in the West, barely holding on to a playoff spot.

Unfortunately, this past week has not gone RSL’s way after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Minnesota United where the team was tired and lacked confidence.

Four days later they took on Tigres UANL in the inaugural Leagues Cup where they fell by a score of 1-0.

The game against FC Dallas will be the team’s third game in seven days. Whereas FC Dallas did not have a midweek game to worry about, their focus has been on RSL all week long.

Deep in the heart of Texas.#RSL vs #FCD // 7.27 // 6PM pic.twitter.com/rZK1q46Hj9

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 25, 2019

The History

Mar 30, 2019: RSL 2 – 4 DAL @ Rio Tinto Stadium
Jul 7, 2018: RSL 2 – 0 DAL @ Rio Tinto Stadium
Mar 3, 2018: DAL 1 – 1 RSL @ Toyota Stadium
Jun 3, 2017: DAL 6 – 2 RSL @ Toyota Stadium
May 6, 2017: RSL 0 – 3 DAL @ Rio Tinto Stadium

FC Dallas has had RSL’s number over their past five meetings. With RSL only beating Dallas on the one occasion. That win coming at home during their first encounter last season on July 7.

Who Is FC Dallas?

FC Dallas is managed by Luchi Gonzalez, who is enduring his first season at the helm after spending the previous six seasons as FC Dallas’ Academy Director.

Gonzalez plays a 4-2-3-1 formation, much like RSL head coach Mike Petke.

Thus far, FC Dallas has won six games at home from a possible eleven. They have drawn four and only lost once. Their lone loss coming against the New York Red Bulls on May 11 when they lost 3-1.

Jesus Ferreira and Domonique Badji lead Dallas with six goals apiece on the season. Both players are very dangerous in front of goal and will cause headaches for the backline of RSL on Saturday. Badji plays the number nine role as the lone striker up top, while Ferreira slots in slightly behind Badji in the number ten role, similar to how Albert Rusnak is utilized for RSL.

Their best player, Michael Barrios, slots in on the right-wing. Barrios has been with the club since 2015 and is known for his ability to beat defenders and create chances for FC Dallas. Barrios will cause problems for whoever lines up at left-back for RSL on Saturday.

RSL Club Update

Real Salt Lake will be attempting to win just their third game on the road against FC Dallas, their previous two road wins coming against FC Cincinnati and Colorado.

On the injury front, Sam Johnson (quad), Tony Beltran (knee) and Nedum Onuoha (visa issues) will be unavailable.  Albert Rusnak is questionable for selection after suffering a knee strain against Minnesota United.

Real Salt Lake will be hoping to return the favor against FC Dallas who beat RSL 4-2 on March 30. FC Dallas is just one of two teams who have beaten RSL at home this season.

The match against FC Dallas will kick off at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The match can be streamed live on KSLSports.com or on the KSL TV app.

T O M O R R O W
Tune in at 5:30 PM ➡️

📺 KMYU
📱 @kslsports
📻 @ESPN700 pic.twitter.com/pOOs89K3WB

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 26, 2019

RSL Podcasts

KSLSports.com, in collaboration with Real Salt Lake, has launched a new podcast, The RSL Lion’s Den. It is the official Real Salt Lake podcast for all club news and updates. KSL Sports analysts Spencer Warne, along with RSL PR director Matt Gashck and I break down the games and discuss important club matters.